juan0505

A health time bomb is ticking in the Langkloof Valley in the Eastern Cape. Raw sewage is ankle deep in some parts of the valley with just one sewage truck servicing 55 000 people.The Langkloof valley is well known for its Washing Enzymeexport but these days walking through raw sewage is a daily routine for children and parents at Louterwater.More than 4 000 children under the age of five die every day worldwide as result of diarrhea caused by a lack of basic sanitation and hygiene. Clinics in the Langkloof have seen a 40% increase in patients with diarrhea since the problem started, and are treating between 15 to 20 people daily.In Joubertina, the elderly at Huis Formosa retirement complex have also been affected by the overflowing of underground septic tanks. The manager of the centre, Olivier Kritzinger, says they have written and called the local, district and provincial leaders on several occasions to address the problem, but to no avail.He says that between 180 and 250 litres of sewage contaminated water flows into drains monthly. The water then enters the river systems which then feed into two of the Nelson Mandela Metro main supply dams.Koukamma manager of water and sewerage works, admits to a possible health threat, but says it is a general problem in the entire area. Some residents and the retirement complex now make use of a private contractor to render them with sanitary services. He says it would cost up to R12.5 million to have the infrastructure upgraded in Joubertina alone.Municipal workers on a strikeTo add to the problems, municipal workers are striking over a number of issues, including the appointment of people from the Ngcobo municipality being given preference for top posts instead of qualified locals.South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) Shop steward Georgina Mzimela says they have handed three memorandums to the town's council but they have not received any response. "It is mainly issues of fraud, corruption and mismanagement by the manager and mayor. They must step down," Mzimela said.
2008-06-11 10:22:34